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Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Orilla Catherine (Wehrly) Andrews (1872-1970) was my paternal great-grandaunt. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.1. Vital Records 1.1. Birth CertificateCatherine was born April 6, 1872 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana1. The State of Indiana did not require state-wide registrations of births until after 1907. Jay County, Indiana only has birth records from 1882. 1.1.1. Birth Notice in NewspaperIf Catherine's birth was announced in the local newspaper, it has been lost to history. The Jay County Public Library has newspapers from the late 1880s. The holdings of the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis do not indicate any newspapers of the time period. 1.1.2. Bible RecordI am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Wehrly family. Will continue to reach out to extended family members in hopes that one does exist. 1.1.3. Baptismal RecordI am not aware of any baptismal record for Catherine, nor the church affiliation of the Wehrly's. 1.1.4. Adoption RecordThere is no indication that Catherine was adopted. 1.2. Marriage LicenseCatherine married Arthur B. Andrews on December 25, 18931, probably in Jay County, Indiana. I do not have a copy of their marriage license. Will add that to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip. 1.2.1 Marriage Notice in NewspaperWill need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Catherine and Andrew's nuptials. 1.2.2. Anniversary NoticeCatherine and Andrew's 25th wedding anniversary would have been December 25, 1918 and their 50th anniversary would have been December 25, 1943. Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if any mention was made of anniversary celebrations. 1.2.3. Divorce DecreeThere is no indication that Catherine and Andrew were ever divorced, but a search of Jay County, Indiana court records needs to be done. 1.3. Death CertificateCatherine died December 26, 1970 in Grant County, Indiana2. I do not have a copy of her death certificate. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip. 1.3.1. Obituary in NewspaperWill need to check local newspapers in Grant and Jay Counties, Indiana to see if Catherine's obituary was mentioned. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip. 1.3.2. Funeral Home RecordsOnce I've obtained her obituary, I might be able to identify the funeral home that handled the arrangements and then contact them to see if they have any more records. 1.3.3. Tombstone PhotographCatherine's tombstone in the Salamonia Cemetery in Jay County, Indiana2 has not been photographed. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.2. Census Records 2.1. Federal Census Records 2.1.1. 1940 Federal CensusOn April 9, 1940, Catherine was enumerated in the Arthur Andrews household in the 6th Ward of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio3, as Orilla Andrews, age 68, wife. She was born in Indiana and in 1935 resided at the same place. She had completed 8th grade. An occupation of electrician, city of Hamilton was listed for her, but this was also copied from the record of neighbor L. Howard Burtis, the next line down on the census. Their address was 653 Belle Avenue in Hamilton. 2.1.2. 1930 Federal CensusOn April 17, 1930, Catherine was enumerated in the Arthur B. Andrews household in the 6th Ward of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio4, as Catherine Andrews, wife, age 58. She was married at age 21. She could read and write and spoke English. She was born in Indiana, her father and mother both born in Indiana. No occupation was listed. Their address was 653 Belle Avenue in Hamilton. 2.1.3. 1920 Federal CensusOn January 6, 1920, Catherine was enumerated in the Arthur Andrews household in Ross Township, Butler County, Ohio5, as Orilla Andrews, wife, age 47. She could read and write and spoke English. She was born in Indiana, her father was born in Ohio and her mother born in Indiana. No occupation was listed. 2.1.4. 1910 Federal CensusOn April 16, 1910, Catherine was enumerated in the Arthur B. Andrews household in the 4th Ward of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio6, as Orilla C. Andrews, wife, age 38. She had been married 16 years and was the mother of 2 children, both living. She was born in Indiana, her father born in Ohio and her mother in Michigan. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed. Their address was 944 Campbell Avenue. 2.1.5. 1900 Federal CensusOn June 6, 1900, Catherine was enumerated in the Arthur V. Andrews household in the 5th Ward of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio7, as Catherine Andrews, wife, age 28. She had been married 6 years and was the mother of 1 child, living. She was born in Indiana, her father born in Indiana and her mother born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed. Their address was 913 Campbell Avenue.2.1.6. 1880 Federal CensusOn June 3, 1880, Catherine was enumerated in the William Wherhly household in Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana8, as Catharine Wherhly, age 9, daughter. She had attended school within the year. She was born in Indiana, her father's birthplace was blank, and her mother was born in Michigan. 2.2. State Census RecordsNo state census of Ohio are known to exist. 2.3. Agricultural Census RecordsI have not yet investigated these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Wehrly farm.3. Military Records 3.1. Draft RegistrationNot applicable, as Catherine was female. 3.2. Pension RecordsI am not aware of any military service by her husband or father that would have made Catherine eligible for benefits. Her father did serve during the Civil War, but I do not believe she was ever eligible for minor's benefits. 3.3. Service RecordsNot applicable, as Catherine was female.4. Land Records